Members agree Council's response to Scottish Government consultation on Masterplan Consent Areas

3rd May 2024

Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee have agreed Highland Council's response to a Scottish Government consultation on Masterplan Consent Areas (MCA).

The Scottish Government is proposing the introduction of discretionary powers to establish Masterplan Consent Areas (MCA) under new planning legislation.

MCAs are seen as a tool to positively influence and accelerate the unlocking of key sites where there is a need to respond dynamically to strategic opportunities.

Chair of Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: "MCAs are promoted as a delivery mechanism to unlock complex or presently constrained development sites or wider areas via a coordinated, inclusive but expedited master planning process.

"MCAs should save time by front loading and targeting assessment, consultation and decision making. MCAs should also reduce risk for those choosing to invest in Highland. This may be important as we recognise that there is likely to increased demand for development sites, especially those areas around the Green Freeport sites."

The consultation document can be found on the Scottish Government website. https://consult.gov.scot/local-government-and-housing/masterplan-consent-areas-regulations-consultation/

At today's Economy and Infrastructure Committee members agreed the Council’s response to the consultation (Appendix 1) and further agreed that Council takes the lead in pursuing the opportunity to prepare and implement MCAs in respect of developments associated with the Inverness and Cromarty Green Freeport.

The predecessor of MCAs, Simplified Planning Zones, had limited applicability and success in Highland. The Scottish Government has highlighted that MCAs could play a wider role and have greater potential impact in Highland.

The Highland Council’s response to the consultation can be found at Item 6, Appendix 1, of the report to the E&I Committee.
See https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/4964/economy_and_infrastructure_committee